Postby Toby » Wed Jun 03, 2015 11:00 am
International riders go wild in Dutch storm
Dutchmen Lassse Walker wins Red Bull Megaloop Challenge 2015
The Dutch Lasse Walker has won the Red Bull Megaloop Challenge 2015. A southwest storm with gusts off 90km per hour, hundreds of kite-fans at the beach of Zandvoort and a warning of the Dutch Weather Institute for dangerous weather: Tuesday had the perfect conditions for the Red Bull Megaloop Challenge. At The Spot in Zandvoort, 16 international top riders went on the water to perform the most spectacular jumps. The twenty year old Walker made the best megaloop and convinced the four-piece jury to crown him the winner.
Walker got the trophy from the most extreme kiteboarder there is: Ruben Lenten, organization and judge of the event. Ruben about the winner: “The judges were unanimous that Lasse was the best one today. He went more vertical, horizontal and radical. On all criteria Lasse was the best one.”
Lasse Walker about his victory “I knew when I got here today, that I was going to win. Nah, just kidding. But I was in great shape and knew that I have done everything in my power to compete for the title. That I won is a dream coming true. Two years ago, I qualified for the first time, which already was great! But winning is even better. My next goal is to participate and win Red Bull King of the Air and off course to maintain this title.”
The Red Bull Megaloop Challenge only takes place when the conditions are extreme. 30 knots from the right angle. Since last edition in October 2013, it was waiting for the perfect weather conditions. The 16 riders, which where pre-selected by Ruben Lenten himself, gave it all during the Red Bull Megaloop Challenge heats. The athletes, coming from France, South-Africa, Germany, UK and the Netherlands where obvious one with Mother Earth. With a wind of 30 knots and gusts that sometimes went up to 45 knots, the riders flew 15 meters high and took over 5 seconds airtime. The judges judged the athletes on height, distance, style and execution of the megaloops, where that one perfect loop would be enough to make it to the next round.
The four riders in the final were Lasse Walker, Willem van der Meij, Kevin de Smidt and the German rider Linus Erdman. With the Dutchmen Kevin de Smidt on the second place and Willem van der Meij third, the Dutch riders dominated this Red Bull Megaloop Challenge.